Alcohol and Drug Support
Help to change alcohol or drug use
We understand that people affected by drugs and alcohol need different types of support to make changes. Because of this, the help on offer comes from different organisations and services. This page contains details of these services (some of which are funded by West Berkshire Council) and other sources of information elsewhere online, to help you find a way to change that suits you best.
Young People
Young people (aged 18 and under) can contact a specialist service called The Edge (provided by WDP West Berkshire). They offer free confidential advice and support for young people who want help or have worries about their drug or alcohol use, as well as concerned family members.
You can find out more and how to contact The Edge on the WPD website.
Adults
WDP (Westminster Drug Project) are a specialist organisation that provides support and services to adults (over 18) who wish to change their drug and/or alcohol use. They deliver services from their main hub in Newbury and a number of community locations (including GP surgeries) across the West Berkshire area.
WDP offer a range of services to help address drug and alcohol problems, tailored to the needs of each person. Their services include:
- Advice and information around your health and wellbeing
- Open access/drop-in appointments for your convenience
- One-to-one sessions with your own recovery practitioner
- A range of different support groups for various stages of your recovery
- BBV screening and Hep B vaccines
- Needle and syringe exchange facilities onsite at Station Road and across various local pharmacies
- Access to prescribed medication and regular reviews
- Access to community alcohol detoxes
- Access to Naloxone to support with reducing overdoses
- Looking ahead to what's next: motivational programmes, education, training and employment support, peer mentoring and volunteering
Referring someone to WDP
If you work with people who might need WDP's services, or would like to refer someone, please contact WDP.
General Advice
Below we've listed some links to further information elsewhere online as well as other services that might be useful, such as 'mutual aid' groups.
Drugs
- Information about drug addiction and how to get help on the NHS website
- 'Honest information about drugs' on the Talk to FRANK website
Alcohol
- Information from the NHS about alcohol and its effects
- Advice on cutting down on alcohol on the NHS Better Health website
- Information about alcohol support services on the Drinkaware website
Your GP and local pharmacy
Your local doctor's surgery or pharmacy may be able to help. After they've assessed your needs, they may be able to refer you onto specialist services if they feel it's appropriate.
If you're not already registered with a GP, you can find a GP using the online search on the NHS website, here.
Needle exchange programmes
The following pharmacies offer needle exchange programmes in our district:
- Boots Pharmacy - Hungerford
- Boots Pharmacy - Newbury Retail Park, Pinchington Lane
- Day Lewis Pharmacy - Access House, Strawberry Hill
- Broadway Pharmacy - Lambourn
- Lloyds Pharmacy - Crown Mead Thatcham
Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous and 'mutual aid' groups
Mutual aid groups are about providing support to members at every stage of their recovery from active alcohol and/or drug use and addiction. They're different from a 'peer support network' as they rely on a structured programme that has a clear end goal - recovery. Groups have a real mix of members, often including people who have beaten addictions and want help to remain drug or alcohol free, people who are thinking about stopping and people actively trying to stop their drug and alcohol use. Groups also exist to support families, children and friends affected by substance misuse.
The most common mutual aid groups in England include '12-step fellowships' and SMART Recovery.
UK 12-step fellowships
The fellowships - for example Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA) and Al-Anon - are based on a 12-step self-help philosophy.
Please note that not all groups operate locally, but will offer phone advice and support.
- Alcoholics Anonymous - Find a Meeting
- Al-Anon Family Groups
- Narcotics Anonymous - Meetings Search
- Cocaine Anonymous - Find a Meeting
- Drug Addicts Anonymous - Find a Meeting
- DrugFAM - Help for Families, Friends and Carers
- Families Anonymous - Help for Friends and Family Members
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery applies cognitive behavioural techniques (CBT) and therapeutic lifestyle change to their mutual aid groups to help people manage their recovery.
SMART Recovery hold a group on a Monday evening from between 5:45pm and 7:30pm at Swanswell, 1 Station Rd, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 7LP.